Footballer, beauty queen’s privacy key to avoiding public pressure

Footballer Doan Van Hau and his wife Doan Hai My. Photo from My’s Facebook

“As a footballer, I am familiar with mixed opinions from the public,” Hau said. “But My was just a university student at the time, and I was afraid that negative comments from the public might make her think a lot.”

The couple started dating in 2020 after My competed in the Miss Vietnam contest. They did not disclose their relationship to the public until Aug. 2022, in celebration of their second anniversary.

“We did not publicize our relationship, but did not hide it either,” My said. “I wanted to have time to familiarize myself with pressure from the public and to be sure of my feelings.”

The beauty queen added that she thought their first “secret” two years gave Hau and her a chance to establish a strong foundation for their relationship, which helped them gain confidence in their feelings and in publicizing their relationship later on.

Hau revealed that he was attracted to My’s beautiful appearance and thus took the initiative to message her on social media. He even confessed his feelings for My before the two met in person, though his initial attempt failed.

“I’m serious when it comes to dating,” My said, explaining that she did not accept Hau’s first confession as she wanted to meet him in person and get to know him better first.

The beauty queen added that when the two did finally meet, she fell for him at first sight.

Hau said that although he came to My’s house during the couple’s first meetings in real life, he could only talk to My briefly at her front door. The first time he was allowed to come inside My’s house was when the beauty queen’s had a broken leg and he asked My’s mother for her permission to escort My to her room upstairs.

Hau, 24, gained popularity after his early-career performances made him a regular starter on the national football team. His play contributed to Vietnam winning the 2018 SEA Games.

He and My, 22, began dating a few months after My competed in the 2020 Miss Vietnam contest.

The couple completed their engagement ceremony in Hanoi on Nov. 11, followed by a same-day wedding ceremony at Hau’s northern hometown in Thai Binh province. They also held another wedding ceremony in the capital on Nov. 26.

They recently went to Singapore for Hau’s heel injury treatment. Hau does not need surgery, but he has to rest for a few more months before he can return to the football pitch.